Time switch



Aug- 1938- w'. c. PADGETT 2,126,496

TIME SWITCH Filed Feb. 9, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to time switches of the character usable inconnection with the conventional type radio and may be used in such alocation to automatically turn the radio on or off at a predeterminedset time, or to automatically first turn on the radio and then after thesame has operated for a desired length of time, to then turn off the setso that the owner thereof will not be required to give attention afterthe time switch embodying this invention has once been set.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a time switchsusceptible of fulfilling the aforementioned desirable results, andhaving as a part thereof, uniquely arranged apparatus which isassociated with an electric switch in a manner so as to effectively andefficiently operate said switch at times predetermined by the operator.

Another aim of the instant invention is the provision of a time switchfor radios or electrical devices, having a switch interposed in thecircuit thereof, that has as a part thereof, a driven shaft geared to adrive shaft for rotation thereby, said driven shaft carrying hollowshafts and a switch lever operating cam, all specially disposed withrespect to a setting shaft that has parts associated therewith whichcombine with the driven shaft and its supported elements in presentingan assembly that is simple, effective and inexpensive and extremelydesirable.

The specific arrangement of parts and their association with aconventional electric switch constitutes further and minor objects ofthe invention, and one embodiment of the time switch is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a time switch unit made to embody thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal, central section through the same, taken on lineII--II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an irregular, vertical, sectional view through the timeswitch, taken on line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an irregular, vertical, cross sectional view, taken on lineIV-IV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a face view of one part of the electric switch employed in thetime switch assembly.

Fig. 6 is a face view of another part of the electric switch, and,

Fig. 7 is a vertical, sectional view through the electric switch, takenon line VIIVII of Fig. 5.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a time switchusable with radio receiving sets, and the electric switch built intothis time switch may be employed in lieu of the electric switch usuallyused in a radio set. When the electric switch of this time switch isused to make and break the circuit supplying energy to the radioreceiving set, the said electricswitch is interposed in the circuitthrough the medium of wires I0 and I2, connected to points I4 and I6respectively. These said points are carried by specially formed blocksof insulating material I8 and 20, the abutting faces of which areserrated on an extremely large scale so that the high portions of oneblock will nest in the low portion of the other block. Whenever thecomplementary serrations of blocks I8 and are together, as illustratedin Fig. 2, points I4 and I6 are in contact to close the circuit throughwires I0 and I2.

Block I8 is stationarily supported by bracket 22 and block 20 is mountedat one end of rod 24 that extends into case 26 through the front panel28 thereof. A knob 30 is provided on the outer end of rod 24. A ratchet32, rigid on rod 24, transmits the force of spring 34 to rod 24 tomaintain blocks I8 and 2D in the closed position, shown in Fig. 2. Abearing bracket 36, secured to case 26, engages the other end of spring34. Rod 24 is rotatably journalled in front panel 28 and bearing bracket36 and is provided with a ring 38 that is in wiping .contact with finger40 connected to wire I2. Clips 42 join ring 38 with contacts I6 to theend that when rod 24 is rotated, wires II] and I2 may be connected ordisconnected, depending upon the opposed or non-opposed relation betweencontacts I4 of block I8 and contacts l6 of block 20. Every otherposition offsets points I4 and I6 so that as rod 24 is turned, theswitch is alternately on and off and no return of the rod and associatedparts to a point of beginning is necessary.

Ratchet 32 is operated to rotate rod 24 automatically through the mediumof the hereinafter described parts. Each switch operating unit, however,has a switch lever 44 provided with a laterally extending head 45 andformed with a hooked portion 48, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Lever 44 ispivoted to frame 50 as at 52 and a link 54 has'one end pivotally joinedas at 56 to a portion of lever 44 below pivot point 52. The other end oflink 54 is joined to a spring 58 which maintains a tendency to pull link54 in a direction so as to cause dog 66 to engage the teeth of ratchet32 and rotate rod 24.

This dog 60 is yieldably maintained in contact with one of the teeth ofratchet 32 by a 1 associated ti spring 62, and dog 60 is so formed thatwhen link 54 is drawn back from the position shown in dotted lines of 3to the position shown in full lines thereof the dog will ride over theteeth of ratchet 32.

It is desirable to associate the conventional electric clock 66 withthis time switch so that in setting the same, comparison may be madewith a clock conveniently at hand. This clock 64 is no different fromthe conventional and ordinary clock and, therefore, further explanationis unnecessary.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, two complete settingunits have been illustrated. Each works precisely the same as the other,and it will be obvious to one skilled in the art how the two units maybe set to turn the electric switch first on and then off or viceversa.The time elapsing between those two actions may be governed by theoperator in setting the apparatus, and an explanation of one of theunits will clarify the manner of employing this invention.

A drive shaft 638 is operated by clockwork preferabiy of the synchronousn tor type. not here shown. A driving gear o8 rigid with shaft andmounted thereon for rotation therewi 1. A. solid driven shaft "i6.,iournalled in the iront panel and back wall oi. case carries gear whichis always in mesh with driving gear Gear i2 at one end of shaft l8 and apointer M is second to the other end of this shaft. An ou er tubulashaft 1'6 is rotatably carried by daft iii at the outer end thereof orthat portion no front panel 28 and a dial 713 is secured to one end ofthis tubular shaft 16 immed rtely adjacent to poin er M. Pointer l4 anddial i8 are normally in. frictional engagement, and, a spring insuresthat this frictional engagement will be yieldabie. Dial iii has indiciathereon which presents a clock face so that when pointer 74 is set. thesetting will compare with the time indicated by the pointer on clock 64.

A perforated disc 82 secured to the inner end of outer tubular shaft 36to form one element of means for interconnecting the proximal '5 saidouter tubular l5, and a siini inner tubular shaft 84, which is rotatablycarried by shaft 10. A friction wheel secured to one end of tubularshaft 84 and is provided with a tooih 83 that engages perforation 363 ofdisc 8?, as hereinafter set down. A clutch plate Q2 is carried by theend oi tubular shaft 84 adjacent to gear '52, and a spring 94 yieldablyurges clutch plate 92 against the face of gear 72.

Inner tubular shaft 84 has a cam 96 thereon which is prov ded with arecess adapted to receive head 45 of switch lever M, as later described.A setting shaft iEi T journalled for rotation and longitudinal re: ocatio has knob Hi2 on the projected eof id is yicldably maintained at oneend oi s path of travel by a spring A friction wheel 5%, disposed so toengage lriction wh el 8 s mounted on setting shaft Hi0, as is spe liyformed. cone 5E3 that functions with hi'lfikc'l portion -18 of sw tchlever 64.

A cylindrical portion ii?) created on cone and when lever M and cone arein the relative positions shown n the left hand unit of Fig. 2 cam E licannot operate lever M. is yicldably held. so render the unit Settingrod iiiii "at cone and l r H38 and holding is a spring i I HE is movedast dog M2, the latter will preclude longitudinal mover of setting shaftiilll until the operator pulls out on knob illil to draw car it past dogl 12. When dog M2 is functioning, spring MM is expanded its full length.

Operation.-Assun1ing that the time is 12:15 as indicated by clock 84,and that it is 1i .1. to open the electric switch for the purposestopping the radio at 1:15, or one hour hence.

shaft Mid is moved outwardly longitudi: by grasping knob (Hi2 andcompressing i Such. movement will draw together wheels ilii and i0 3 andwill further join together outer tubuiar shaft #6 and inner tubularshaft 24 by moving pin 88 into perforation of disc 82. Switch icvcr Mwill be moved to the position Si'lOWl'l in full lines of Fig. 3 becausethe inclined of cone Hi8 will engage the hooked portion it of lever 4 tonot only swing head 35 out of ess ili'i, but to distend spring 58 andmove dog 6/; into e ageinent with of the teeth of ratchet Knob Hi2. isthen rotated so as to impart rotary motion to 78 through theinterengageinent of iiiii, 85, 83, Si], 82 and 76. When the pointer Mreaches the position indicating 1:15, or one hour later than the actualtime as indicated by clock the rotary action is stopped. Such rotaction, however, has turned cam 96 through the interconnection of partsHlil, MB, 86 and d4. i2, and therefore pointer 74, have not turnedbecause the friction between clutch plate 92 gear i2 is not strongenough to over- Gil-1'16 the holding action which driving gear 68 hasupon gear When setting shaft 1'0) is released by the operator, spring HMwill draw cone to a point where hooked portion 48 of switch lever M isin plane intersecting the point oi smallest diameter on the cone andtherefore frecing switch lever M so that head 38 is drawn intofrictional engagement with the annular face H8 oi cam 9E by spring Whensetting shaft I00 :5 freed by the operator, friction wheels 9% and 85moved apart and disc 82 is no longer engaged by tooth 88 on wheel 36. Asdriving gear 68 continues to rotate gear T2, inner tubular shaft 84 willbe rotated to turn cam in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3,and when recess 98 receives head 46, the movement of the parts under theforce exerted by spring 58 will rotate ratchet 32 and rod 24 so to breakthe electrical connection in theelectric switch and, therefore, turn theradio off.

Manifestly, modifications and changes might be made in constructing atime switch in accordance with this invent-ion without departing fromthe spirit thereof or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a time switch of the character described having a driving gear andan electric switch, a driven shaft; a gear on one end of the drivenshaft in mesh with the driving gear whereby to rotate the driven shaft2. portion of a complete revolution in a predetermined length of time; acam, provided with a recess, carried by the driven shaft; a switch.lever having operable connection with the electric switch pivotallymounted adja cent to the cam and having a head adapted to enter saidrecess when the latter is in opposed relation with said head; an outertubular shaft rotatably mounted upon said driven shaft near its'otherend; a dial having a clock face thereon secured to the outer tubularshaft; a pointer carried by the driven shaft at said other end andadapted to travel over said clock face; a spring to yieldably hold thedial and pointer in frictional engagement; and settable means forsimultaneously setting said settable means and said cam with respect tothe pointer and head of the switch lever respectively, said dial andpointer being moved together about the axis of said driven shaft duringoperation of the time switch.

2. In a time switch of the character described having a driving gear andan electric switch, a driven shaft; a gear on one end of the drivenshaft in mesh with the driving gear whereby to rotate the driven shaft aportion of a complete revolution in a predetermined length of time; acam, provided with a recess, carried by the driven shaft; a switch leverhaving operable connection with the electric switch pivotally mountedadjacent to the cam and having a head adapted to enter said recess whenthe latter is in aligned relation with said head; an outer tubular shaftrototably mounted upon said driven shaft near its other end; a dialhaving a clock face thereon secured to the outer tubular shaft; apointer carried by the driven shaft at said other end; a spring toyieldably hold the dial and pointer in frictional engagement when in thenormal position; a manually reciprocable and rotatable setting shaft; amember on the setting shaft for moving the head of said switch lever outof engagement with the recess in said cam when. the shaft is at one endof its path of travel; and means interconnecting said setting shaft andsaid outer tubular shaft when the setting shaft is at said one end ofits path of travel whereby the dial may be moved with respect to saidpointer as the switch lever is disengaged from the recess in the camv 3.In a time switch of the character described having a driving gear and anelectric switch, a driven shaft; a gear on one end of the driven shaftin mesh with the driving gear whereby to rotate the driven shaft aportion of a complete revolution in a predetermined length of time; apointer carried by the shaft at the other end thereof; an inner tubularshaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a. clutch plate on thetubular shaft and in frictional engagement with the gear on the drivenshaft; a spring to yieldably malntain the said plate against said gear;a cam provided with a recess mounted on the inner tubular shaft; anouter tubular shaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a dial on thesaid outer tubular shaft in juxtaposition to the pointer; a switch leveroperable by the recessed portion of the cam; means for coupling togetherthe proximal ends of the inner and outer tubular shafts; and manuallyoperable setting mechanism adapted to render effective the couplingmeans to set the dial with respect to said pointer and to set the cam ata desired position with respect to the switch lever.

4. In a time switch of the character described having a driving gear andan electric switch, a driven shaft; a gear on one end of the drivenshaft in mesh with the driving gear whereby to rotate the driven shaft aportion of a. complete revolution in a predetermined length of time; apointer carried by the shaft at the other end thereof; an inner tubularshaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a clutch plate on thetubular shaft and in frictional engagement with the gear on the drivenshaft; a spring to yieldably maintain the said plate against said gear;a cam provided with a recess mounted on the inner tubular shaft; anouter tubular shaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a dial on thesaid outer tubular shaft in juxtaposition to the pointer, a switch leveroperable by the recessed portion of the cam; means for coupling togetherthe proximal ends of the inner and outer tubular shafts; and manuallyoperable setting mechanism adapted to render effective the couplingmeans to set the dial with respect tosaid pointer and to set the cam ata desired position with respect to the switch lever, said settingmechanism having an element for withdrawing the switch lever from thecam recess.

5. In a time switch of the character described having a driving gear andan electric switch, a driven shaft; a gear on one end of the drivenshaft in mesh with the driving gear whereby to rotate the driven shaft aportion of a complete revolution in a predetermined length of time; apointer carried by the shaft at the other end thereof; an inner tubularshaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a clutch plate on thetubular shaft and in frictional engagement with the gear on the drivenshaft; a spring to yieldably maintain the said plate against said gear;a cam provided with a recess mounted on the inner tubular shaft; anouter tubular shaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a dial on thesaid outer tubular shaft in juxtaposition to the pointer; a switch leveroperable by a spring; a perforated disc on the outer tubular shaft; afriction wheel on the inner tubular shaft having a projection forentering the perforation of said disc; a rotatable and reciprocablesetting shaft; a friction wheel on the setting shaft to engage the firstmentioned friction wheel when the setting shaft is at one end of itspath of travel; and a cone on the setting shaft having an inclined facefor engaging the switch lever to move the same out of the recess in thecam as the setting shaft is moved toward said one end of its path oftravel.

6. In a time switch of the character described having a driving gear andan electric switch, a driven shaft; a gear on one end of the drivenshaft in mesh with the driving gear whereby to rotate the driven shaft aportion of a complete revolution in a predetermined length of time; apointer carried by the shaft at the other end thereof; an inner tubularshaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a clutch plate on thetubular shaft and in frictional engagement with the gear on the drivenshaft; a spring to yieldably maintain the said plate against said gear;a cam provided with a recess mounted on the inner tubular shaft; anouter tubular shaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a dial on thesaid outer tubular shaft in juxtaposition to the pointer; a switch leveroperable by a spring; a perforated disc on the outer tubular shaft; afriction wheel on the inner tubular shaft having a projection forentering the perforation of said disc; a rotatable and reciprocablesetting shaft; a friction wheel on the setting shaft to engage the firstmentioned friction wheel when the setting shaft is at one end of itspath of travel; and a cone on the setting shaft having an inclined facefor engaging the switch lever to move the same out of the recess in thecam as the setting shaft is moved toward said one end of its path oftravel, said switch lever having a hooked portion partiallycircumscribing said cone, said cone having a cylindrical portion formedthereon concentric with the said hooked portion and substantially thesame diameter as the hooked portion whereby the switch lever is heldinoperative when the cylindrical portion of the cone is positioned so asto be partially circumscribing said switch lever.

7. In a time switch of the character described having a driving gear andan electric switch, a driven shaft; a gear on one end of the drivenshaft in mesh with the driving gear whereby to rotate the driven shaft aportion of a com-- plete revolution in a predetermined length. of time;a pointer carried by the shaft at the othe end thereof; an inner tubularshaft rotataoi carried by the driven shaft; a clutch plate on thetubular shaft and in frictional engageh'ient with the gear on the drivenshaft; a SDl'l lg to yieldably maintain the said plate a said gear; acam provided with. a recess mounted on the inner tubular shaft; an outertubular shaft rotatably carried by the driven shaft; a dial. on the saidouter tubular shaft in juxtaposition to the pointer; a switch leveroperable by a spr' a perforated disc on the outer tubular shaft; a

friction wheel on the inner tubular shaft having a projection forentering the perforation of said disc; a rotatable and reciprocablesetting shaft; a friction wheel on the setting shaft to engage the firstmentioned friction wheel when the setting shaft is at one end of itspath of travel; and a cone on the setting shaft having an inclined facefor engaging the switch lever to move the same out of the recess in thecam as the setting shaft is moved toward said one end of its path oftravel, said switch lever having a hooked portion partiallycircumscribing said cone, said cone having a cylindrical portion formedthereon concentric with the said hooked portion and substantially thesame diameter as the hooked portion whereby the switch lever is heldinoperative when the cylindrical portion of the cone is positioned so asto be partially circuniscribing said switch lever, said setting shafthaving means for yieldably holding said cone in such position.

WALTER C. PADGETT.

